(For more information on the tour, plus the full list of stops on the sew along, check out Lindsey's kick-off post here. She also posted some great information on where to buy the book as well as the supplies used in the projects.)

Before I share my project, I wanted to say a quick word about this great book. Rashida has done a fantastic job in bringing together a diverse set of sewists and crafters to provide the book's projects while still maintaining a very strong and cohesive aesthetic. The book itself is beautiful and the photography inspirational, but it's not just a pretty book. Nearly all of the projects are ones I can see myself making, especially because they strike the right balance of being advanced enough to yield an impressive final product while still being accessible to the beginning sewist. Most of all, I think the items in this book fit the bill for quick gift ideas, and I can see myself returning to it again and again when I want to make homemade gifts.

I made the Rain Cloud Mug Rug, designed by Christie Fowler. You can see Christie's original -- the one that's pictured in the book -- here. This was a fun little project that I both started and completed in a single Sunday morning. I used Essex Linen for the background and a small scrap of Kona Snow (both by Robert Kaufman fabrics) for the cloud. I had intended to bind this mini quilt in a grey print similar to Christie's because I loved the serene feeling it gave off, but in looking through my scrap bin I decided to go with a more cheerful and sunny print -- kind of like the rays of sunshine through the rain cloud.

I adjusted the pattern a bit to meet my needs. In her directions, Christie uses a needle-turn technique to apply the cloud to the linen background. As my long-time readers know, I avoid handwork like the plague. Instead, I traced the book's cloud template to a small piece of double-sided fusible interfacing, fused it to the Kona scrap, cut it out, and then ironed it directly on to the background. (The more perceptive among you might notice that I didn't think to reverse the template first, so my cloud is the mirror image of the one in the book!) I then free-motion stitched along the edge of the cloud shape. This probably means the edges of the cloud will fray just a little bit over time, but I am totally cool with that.

With my darning foot & feed dogs down, I machine stitched the swirly, curly wind lines, trying to mimic Christie's style. I put my regular foot back on and sewed the dense straight lines meant to represent the rain. After machine stitching the small piece of binding to the mug rug, I was done -- less than 2 hours from start to finish.

If you make a Rain Cloud Mug Rug -- or any of the projects from Zakka Style -- I'd love to see it. And since I'm giving this book a strong recommendation, I can't leave you without offering to give a copy away. Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me if you've ever sewn anything that could be considered "zakka", and I'll randomly select a winner next week.

I've also got 5 sampler packs of Aurifil thread to give away, which brings my total number of prizes up to 6.

But wait ... there are more prizes to be won! Lindsey has rounded up 24 fantastic prizes from some of the biggest brands in the quilting industry, and she's giving them away on her blog to people who are sewing along with us. Be sure to check out LRstitched to stay up to date on all of her active giveaways. This week, it's a $30 gift certificate to Zip It!

Please join me in thanking the following sponsors for supporting the Zakka Style Sew Along:

106 comments:

Hi John, I haven't sewn anything that's considered "zakka", but doesn't mean I won't. I've been following the quilt along and like a lot of stuff you guys have been making. I might just buy the book :) Thanks for the giveaway! (Can't believe I'm the first commenter)

I'm doing the Zakka Style Sew Along and have made each project in the book so far. {If I were to win the book, I'd give it to my sister - she would have a blast making these items, too.} Your mug rug is so pretty - I'm off to make mine now. I like the bright binding and think I'll pick up on that idea!

I've been doing all the projects with the Zakka Along from the beginning, and I have to say that it's been fantastic. There's not a bad project in this book! I love looking at everyone's versions of each piece in the flickr group every week...so much inspiration and creativity!

I have been watching the Zakka sew along blogs and Flickr to see all the pretties being created. I would say I have created my own version of zakka....When making a quilt from Jennifer Heyden's Happy fabrics, used the practice quilting 'sandwiches' to create an iPad (sized) zippered sleeve. Also created a pincussion on top of small canning jar. Awesome for keeping thread for hand stitched items. Keeps everything together really nicely. Thanks for the chance to win. But thanks even more for the constant inspiration in your blog.

Love the mug rug - and finally have to order my copy of the book - the projects look so fun! I had to look up the def. of "zakka" lol but now that I know, I would say that all my projects attempt to be zakka. I love pillows, throws and things that are readily seen by guests.

I love sewing Zakka style, except I dont like the price of linen, so I am repurposing items, We Texans think linen is a cold weather material, I laughed mothers day when I questioned my family about our up coming wedding cruise with my son, about wearing linen, Ohh! Ehhh ! thats to HOT ! , My husband reminded me that I made him buy a linen outfit for our mexico trip and he has donated it to me to sew any project I wish.. So I do Zakka style alot because I repurpose items.

I have made all the projects so far in the Sew Along and I am having a great time!! I'm not a coffee person but I will probably make it and use it as more of an oversized coaster. Thanks ofr the chance to win the Aurifil thread (I already have a copy of the book).

I have done all the Zakka Style sew alongs except the tote. We were on Spring Break. I hope to tackle it soon. I opted to machine appliqué my cloud as well. Trying to convince myself to hand stitch the rain. Would love to win the book to pass on to a sewing friend.

Hmmm. This is my first intro to Zakka. Based on the wiki...yes, if you take the true meaning ("The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance") but no if you mean in the sense of Asian style incorporated. But I love many of these projects and think I should try it! Thanks for the chance!

John, This is the first time I have sewn anything zakka, but I know there will be more. I made extra pencils for gifts. Will do the same with the mug rug. I was slightly worried that the rain cloud seemed sad.

Hey JohnI bought this book a while back because project 2 Julia Bravo is my friend So I have joined the sew a long to improve my skills and expand my horizons. I have been sewing zakka for a while but the ideas in this book are outstanding.marymoondesigns@yahoo.com

I love zakka sewing. I sew that kind of stuff all the time and even sell some items in my Etsy shop. I really love the projects in this book and can't wait to make some of them; especially after seeing the wonderful stuff people have been making in this sew along.

Hello - I've been following alonmg with the Zakka projects and have done all so far except the tote. I made my mug rug but totally veered off plan and made a SUN with house, grass and flowers because it has rained for a month non stop here in London and another cloud was too depressing for me!! I will eventually do the cloud as it is gorgeous... Love your binding - very happy!

I've been following all the sewists in this quilt-along and finally purchased my own copy of the book. The style really "speaks" to me. How's that for esoteric? Anyway, love the mug rug. And thanks for the chance to win something!

I've been participating in the Zakka sew-along and loving it. I need to get started on my mug rug. The rain theme seems a bit depressing to me, but who knows, maybe some flowers will crop up as well on my run.

I have just gotten into sewing things outside of quilting, and have made two potholders and one purse--the purse could be considered Zakka style, I think. I really wish I were part of the sew along. As soon as I have some extra funds I will be looking for a copy of this book, but it would be fabulous to win one instead!!! :) Jaime (Future Arthritis? on Flickr)

My criteria for buying a crafting book is this...if I'm excited to make at least 4 items from a book and I can't find it at the library I'll most likely buy it. There is nothing in this book I don't want to make...so I guess I need to buy it or win it from you old pal!:)

I have made many a tote bag, grocery bag dispenser, mug rug and little zippy hold it bags with all my scraps of fabric and batting...nothing gets thrown away!:)

I've been sewing along with the Zakka SSAL since the start and I think it's a blast! Using linen was daunting at first, but it gives such a nice finish that the bit of ravel or bias wrestling is worth it! love your take on the cloud mig rug! I'm off to see if I have the right sort of feed dogs to attempt that wind....Oh- if my name is picked, I would send the Zakka book to my best friend, and get her to join in. She's more naturallyinto Zakka than I!

I have been sewing along with the Zakka sew along and am up to date so far! That may not happen when summer approaches. I would so love to win a copy of this book for my best friend. It would make me so happy. Oh, I see the commenter above me has a best friend in need of the book, too! LOL...anyway, loving the sew along.

Thanks for sharing your project. I haven't sewn anything Zakka style yet really like the zigzag quilt in the button. It would be great to win this book so can participate for some of the projects. It goes along with my desire to learn to do Sashiko!

Love, love, love this book. My turn at the library coincided with the sewalong. I made the pincushion and the pencil case. Got derailed when my SIL asked if I could make the pencil case shorter and narrower to fit her readers. Much more useful gift- so much that I had to make several. Who carries a pencil case at my age? Although I have few more years before I need readers, the projects in this book are perfect for the advanced sew-er to embellish straight out of the gate or mimic exactly as a beginner.My own copy is coming from the Book Depository in the UK where they offered a 10% off their already low price and free shipping to the states (woot!). I will probably make the messenger bag and one other project from the book this month. Great gift ideas.

I' m part of the group participating in the sew along Zakka Style . Having a great time , love the projects . I love seeing the different ideas for one project that everyone comes up with . All so clever and talented Thank you for your post . And thank you for the chance to win .

The book looks fantastic! I'm off to search down some of the other bloggers sewing through the projects. One of my go-to small handmade gifts is a fabric basket (tutorial by Ayumi of Pink Penguin: http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html). I think it qualifies as zakka! akmajor(at)gmail(dot)com

I have sewn each of the projects in the book except for the magnets last week. I was out of town and just couldn't get to it beforehand. Love your mug rug. Will be sewing it soon. There are many people I'd love to gift the book to if I were to win it. Thanks for the chance!Linda F.

I bought the book and took it to Office Max and had it spiral bound so it will lay flat when I am working on projects but then life got in my way. I have the fabrics for a couple of the projects and hope to start on them next week.

The ZZSA has been taking my quilt skills and adding sewing skills to them. I have been proselytising the merits of this book, style and sew-along to all who will hear. You can check out my rain cloud mug rug version with hand stitching in rainbow colours. http://findingfifth.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/rain-cloud-mug-rug.html

I've made a computer sleeve and some curtain ties for my oldest daughter and my middle daughter has made a pencil case, different from the one in the Zakka book, when she was in Year 7 (AUS). I like the projects in this book because they provide touches of beauty to everyday life.

ACCIDENTALLY I made a zakka style iPhone sleeve :o) I didn't know it was zakka back then so it would be fun giving zakka a more INTENTIONAL try. Thanks for the chance to win this bunch prizes! Would love to win!!! See you in London (insert biggest grin ever)Christine

That's such a cute little cloud! I haven't made anything I'd consider Zakka, is it wrong I'm waiting for everybody to finish the sew a long so I can just browse ideas from more brilliant minds than mine before I try my hand at it? ;0

I ordered the book, and got an autographed copy, and three fat-quarters from the author Rashida! A thrift store linen dress is standing in for my linen stash! I'm ready! I have my eye on those circle hot pads. But there are so many great projects in this book.

Hi Quilt Dad, I wish I had sewn something 'zakka-like'but alas, I have not. Sure would be more tempted if I won some Aurifil thread! I can quilt but never learned 'sewing stuff'.Thanks for the Mug Rug info & thanks for the Give Away!

I'm a newcomer to your blog, over from Jeni's 'In Color Order'. I have made lots of 'zakka' items/projects from Rashida's first two books, and like you said, they are a great resource for when yu want to give a home made gift. I will have to see if I can get a copy of this book here in Australia, or whether I will need to order it online. Looking forward to visiting your blog again.

I've sewn things that could be considered 'zakka'! Most recently a set of fabric coasters with a bigger teapot coaster; I used fabric with pictures of teacups and honey jars etc for one side, and a coffee-bean print on the other to suit coffee drinkers. :)

I've not hear of Zakka before, but it sounds very interesting. Mostly, I am happy I found a quilt blogger in my area. I live in Durham and quilt every spare second which is still not nearly enough. Love the cloud and would love to try it!